Means for drying hair



Sept. 13, 1949. F. o. CONILL I 2,481,645

MEANS FOR DRYING HAIR Filed July 19, 1947 v4: Sheets-Sheet 1 P 1949. F. o. comm.

MEANS FOR DRYING HAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19, 1947 Sept. 13, 1949. F. o. CONILL MEANS FOR DRYING HAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 19, 1947 www Sept. 13, 1949. F. o. CONILL MEANS FOR DRYING HAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 19, 1947 Patented Sept. 13, 1949 OFFICE MEANS FOR DRYING HAIR Fernan Oscar Conill, Cannes, France Application July 19, 1947, Serial No. 762,059 In France June 8, 1940 7 Claims. 1

The hair-drying devices in current use are based on the principle of evaporating liquids by means of super-heated air directed onto the hair. Since such evaporation is a function both of the temperature and the amount of the air thus dis charged, a limit is reached which it is impossible to exceed; consequently, in the best types of current hair-drying devices, the time required for drying is from to minutes according to the individuals and the amount of hair being treated.

My invention makes it possible to reduce to a substantial extent, the time needed for drying so as to bring it down to from 3 to 6 minutes only, through the use of a new method which consists of sweeping the wet hair with compressed dry air, and causing a sudden expansion of the latter; the air then has a high velocity imparted to it, and carries away with it, in being exhausted, any liquid contained in the hair.

My invention further has for its object to provide a hair-drying helmet or head-piece adapted to carry into practice the above indicated method. The dry and heated compressed air is introduced into the helmet which overlies in an air-tight manner the head of a person to whom the treatment is applied, then said air is allowed to suddenly expand, its pressure being reduced to atmospheric pressure, and the above operation is repeated a great many times per minute. in the hair is evacuated outwardly of the helmet, and the heated air completes the drying operation.

In order .to provide a clear comprehension of the invention, there'has been shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example one embodiment of a hair-drying helmet according to my invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side-view of my helmet in operative condition.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the helmet shown in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is an overhead view of the electropneumatic distributor controlling the exhaust valves.

Fig. is a' fragmentary section of the distributor shown in Fig. 3. 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section of an exhaust valve.

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of a pneumatic device for providing an air-tight seal between the helmet and the head.

Fig. i7 is a diagrammatical vertical section of a detail of the device shown in Fig. 6.

The result is that any liquid contained In all of the figures similar elements have been designated by the same reference numerals.

My apparatus comprises two essential parts; an external helmet l and an internal helmet 40, the latter constituting the drying helmet proper, while the outer helmet I only serves as a support for the helmet 40 and the various mechanical members of the apparatus.

The helmet I is held in place on the head by means of an ordinary support 2 comprising an angularly adjustable fork member 3 and a securing bolt 4; a flexible band I! adjustable by means of a knurled nut I8 for instance, maintains the helmet in place when air-pressure is applied internally of it. The helmet I- also mounts a three-way valve IS the purpose of which will be indicated later, said valve being connected for instance with a rubber air-injection bulb is provided with a valve 14. Moreover a container 5 comprising apertures 28 and a drain-cock 6 serves as a condensation chamber in which the greater amount of liquid evacuated with the air may be collected.

Within the helmet l, and between that helmet and the helmet 40, there are mounted:

A compressed air supply valve 2|;

An electric switch l2l;

An air heating thermostat 20;

An electric air-heating device 22;

An electric control distributor 23 for controlling the. exhaust valve I rigid with the helmet 40, said valves being provided in as large a numher as practicable (four in the example shown) because the rate of flow of the air being greater near those valves as the air is discharged, the drying action is accelerated thereat;

A thermometer l l for checking the heating temperature;

An electric switch I 2 controlled from outside and through which it is possible to maintain a valve open during adjustment of the temperature in the circulating air;

A transformer 9| having a stepdown ratio /6 for controlling the valves under a voltage of 6 from the external 110 volt network.

The helmet 40, apart from the valves [8 further comprises a member 35 for providing a tight seal between the helmet and the head and controlled in a manner described hereunder, as well as a tube f9, made of rubber for instance adapted to'protect the head from contact with the metallic portions of the helmet.

The compressed-air supply valve 2|, controlled from a button 9 is connected on the one hand 3 with a compressed-air supply conduct I, and on the other hand with the heater 22.

The electric switch I2I, controlled from a button 93 is suitably connected with the I volt network through the lead 8.

The heating thermostat 20 is connected with the switch I2I through the medium of the heater 22 and is controlled from a button Ill,

The heater 22 connects on the one hand with the valve 2i and on the other hand with the interior of the helmet 56 through the pipe 31. v

The distributor 23 (Figs. 3 and 4) comprises; a bellows as axially guided by a rod 66 slidable in a threaded adjusting-rod 61 andprovidedv with a spring 83, said bellows communicating with the interior of the helmet 42 through a pipe ZEjconnected with the externally screw-threaded union 62 and retained with a nut 63.

An arm 68 rigid with the part 98 of the member 64 carries at its center a rod I5 pivoted at 18 adapted to be maintained by a spring 69 in engagement againstan abutment stop S9. The distributor shaft II hassecured thereon a sprocket wheel I6 having a number of sprocket teeth equal to that of the valves I8, rigid with the helmet 59. A spring 'I! secured at B8. and exerting pressure between a pair of teeth of the sprocket I6 maintains the distributor Ii. at all .times'in contact with any one of the terminals (1, al, a2, etc., to which are connected by means of pressure nuts I4 the energizing leads for the electro-magnets 54 (see Fig. 5) of each of thevalves 58, said con- It will be seen that whenever sufiicient airpressure prevails within the bellows Ed, the arm 68 rigid therewith will be displaced; the'rod I5 will thereby cause rotation of the sprocket I6, thus successivelymaking contact with the'various distributor terminals. Now, as said distributor controls the electro-magnets 54 of .each of the exhaust valves i8, and since each time contact is made with a terminal the valve of which the related electro-magnet 5 3 has been energised is caused to open, the pressure prevailing within the helmet drops down to atmospheric pressure, the bellows 64 is restored to its initial position through the action of a spring 83, the pressure level within the'helmet at which the exhaust valve is caused to beopen being a function of the degree of compression exertedby sai'd'sp'ring, and which may be adjusted by means of the adjusting-rod 61.

Each one of the electrically-actuated exhaust valves I8 (see Fig; 5) ,comprises a valve-casing H8 threadediy secured at 9% onto the helmet '48, having exhaust ports AI formed therein, and containing a valve member and a solenoid. Out wardly of the casing there is secured an electromagnet 54. V

The valve memberincludes a domed head 95 of suitable shape made of rubber for instance, providing an excellent seal because of its resilient engagement upon its valve seat I9 5. It com prises a shank 9% of non-magnetic metal such as bronze, movable axially of the solenoid and having a slot 45 formed therein through which extends a pin 65 rigid with a guide &3. Said shank carries near its base arubber flange serving as a stop for the valve when open, and at its top a soft ironcylinder li surmounted in turn with. a body of hard steel M8, The valve is thus mounted for axial movement without being capable. of rotating about its axis.

"In the upper part of the valve box II8 there 2M which may be attracted by a related part 2! of the electro-magnet 54. The lever 52 and the pawl 48 are held in valve-closing position by springs 55 and MI. One terminalof the solenoid is earthed to the mass at 490' and its other termi- V nal is connected at 59 with the insulated spring plate 53. One terminal of the electro-magnet is earthed at dill and its opposite terminal is'connected with the distributor 23 at I4.

The'm'ember 35 effecting the sealedengagement oi the helmet with the head is formed by a band '32 reinforced with steel strips (as shown in Figs. 6 and 7) embedded in rubber provided with a flange I04 having a contour which is variable accordin to the zoneof the head with which it is engaged. Thus it may be wide along the fore-.

head and narrower about the ears. Said band valve and using the rubber air-bulb I3, the band 8 5 may be applied against the head as required."

When on the other hand it is desired toremove the helmet it is sim ply necessary to set the threeway valve I5 in a suitable, position so that the air being evacuated from the air-tube 86, the springs will urge the flange I52inwardly of the box 26 C8.II'ylngl7he head-bandit with them and releasing it from. aroundthe head. I 1 The electric circuit connections between the various elements of the device are briefly as follows, the volt linebeing indicated in thefigures in dashes and the 6volt line in dots and dashes. a a

The switch I2I' connects with the 110 volt lin supplying on the one hand the heating device22 through the medium of the thermostat 2'0, and on the other hand the transformer 9|. 7 With the transformer 9i on the 6 volt side thereof, there is connected a "line supplying the distributor 23 through the medium of the switch I2, a line connecting the distributor with the exhaust valve,

only one of those lines relating to the valve I8 shown in section in Fig. 2 being illustrated in this j figure, andthis line being also illustrated in Figs;

4 and 5.

The apparatus then operatesas follows: first of all to position the helmet on'the head it is simply necessary after having put it on, to adjust it by means of the flexible band I1 and a nut I8, 7 then apply the member 35 against the head to ensure air-tight engagement 'of the helmet, by inflating the air-tube 86 of the device'for controlling .the member 35, by means of the bulb I3,

and close the three-way valve I5, afterthe mem ber 35 has been satisfactorily applied. as required. j

In'removing the helmet, those operations are reversed, that is the air-tube 85 is deflated by a suitable setting of the three-way valve I5 it then only remains to release the band I1 and remove the helmet.

When the helmet is in place upon' the head; the

valve I8 being closed,dry air. compressed by any suitable means is discharged by opening the valve are arranged: a spring plate 53 insulated from 2| into the heating device 22 which is then energized, because in opening that valve, a cam 403 secured on the shaft of the valve cams the rod 93 (Fig; 2) thereby closing the general 110 volt switch l2]. The temperature of said air may then be supervised by means of the thermometer l I; To enable air to circulate while its temperature is being adjusted, a valve opened by closing the switch l2; during that time the helmet is inoperative. After the temperature is adjusted, the switch I2 is opened to close the valve and at that time the device starts operating, because the pressure of the air is built up between the helmet and the head, and may'operate the distributor 23, which successively opens, at a pre-determined rate, the various valves l8, enabling the output of the transformer 9| in the 6-volt circuit to energize the respective electro-magnets 54 of each of said valves, said electro-magnets then attracting their levers 52 which unlatch the valve shanks through the pawl 48. The pressure of the air in contact with the hair and which has been humidified, suddenly drops to atmospheric pressure, and said air, exhausting through the aperture 25 (Fig. 2) and the apertures 28 of the container 5, is stripped of its moisture in flowing through said container, which may be drained from time to time by means of a drain-cock 6.

Each valve is automatically closed when in its opening movement the cylinder 51 engages the spring plate 53. At that moment current flowing through the mass 400 and the wire 59 of the 6 volt output circuit of the transformer 9| and the winding of the solenoid 44 energizes the latter which then energetically attracts, by induction eii'ect, the cylinder 41 inwardly of the solenoid 44. The valve thereby applied against its seat and latched thereon by the pawl 48 which because of the rocking of the lever 52 has been applied against the body I48 provided at the top of the cylinder 41 which in turn assumes a position overlying the upper end of the valve shank 46. It will thus be seen that the valves are adapted to open and close automatically.

To stop the device, it is simply necessary to cut off the air supply by closing the valve 2|. The switch I2! is then also opened.

It should be observed that owing to the sweepingaction exerted upon the air in the manner described, the total number of operations may all be effected within a period of time of 3 to 6 minutes. to obtain an entirely satisfactory drying of the hair. It wi l of course be understood that the embodiment of the hair-drying device of my invention as described and illustrated has been given merely by way of example and that alterations could be made therein without exceeding the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1, In an improved hair drying device in combination a shell adapted to encase the upper part of a human head, means to efi'ect an air-tight seal between said shell and said human head, air inlets spaced throughout said shell, a supply of dry compressed air, electric air heating means, electric supply means and temperature control means for said heater, air connections to direct said'air from said supply through said heater through said inlets into said enclosure, a plurality of exhaust outlets through said shell provided with valves, and adjustable spring-biased means responsive to the pressure within said enclosure operative to open said valves successively as said pressure insai'denclosure reaches a predeterminedvalue. t v r 1 V a *2. An improved, hair-drying apparatus comprising in combination: an inner shell adapted to encase a human head inspaced relationship with the hair and-means to effect an air-tight seal between said inner shell and said head to form an air-tight enclosure'entirely surrounding said hair, an'ap'ertured outer shell surrounding said irmer shell and spaced therefrom having a portion extending away from 'said inner shell to define a casing therewith, supporting means for said casing, a plurality of inlets into and a plurality of outlet's'from said enclosure through said inner shell, an exhaust valve associated with each said outlet, adapted to exhaust into the space between said inner and said outer shell, an electric air heater insaid casing, and air connections to and from said heater respectively communicating with a compressed air supply connection projecting from said casing and with said inlets, electric supply means and temperature control means associated with said heater. adjustably springbiased pressure-responsive means responsive to the pressure'prevailing in said enclosure, and successively operative actuating means for each of said exhaust valves under the control of said pressure-responsive means operative to open each of said valves in succession when said pressure in said enclosure is in excess of a predetermined value. r

3. An improved hair-drying apparatus comprising in combination an inner shell adapted to encase a human head in spaced relationship with said hair, an apertured outer shell surrounding said inner shell and spaced therefrom to define a second enclosure therewith communicating with atmosphere having a portionextending away from said inner shell to define a casing therewith, supporting meansfor said casing, means providing an air-tight seal between said inner shell and said headincluding a relatively rigid band extending from said second into said first enclosure lying in'a plane generally normal with the surface of the head, a flexible flange terminating said band inwardly adapted to be tightly applied against said head, and a rigid flange along the edge of said band which is in said second enclosure, an annular inflatable air-tube in said second enclosure surrounding said second flange having the radially outer side thereof secured to said enclosure and the radially inner side thereof adapted when inflated to force said seal means into sealing engagement with the head, inflating means to inflate said air-tube, inlets and outlets for said first enclosure through said inner shell and an exhaust valve associated with each said outlet, an electric air-heater in said casing and air connections to supply compressed air to said heater and deliver heated compressed air from said heater into said first enclosure through said'inlets, electric supply means and temperature control means" associated with said heater in said casing, adjustably spring-biased pressure responsive-means responsive to'the pressure in said first enclosure extending into said casing, and actuating means for each of said exhaust valves controlled from said pressure responsive means operative to open each of said valves in succession when said pressure in said first enclosure is in excess of a predetermined amount.

4. In a hair-drying apparatus of the type described in combination an inner shell adapted to encase a human head in spaced relationship with the hair and means to effect a tight seal 7 betweenxsaid inner. shell and. said. head to define an air-tight first enclosure therebetween, an apere tured outer shell surrounding. :said inner shell spaced therefrom to provide: a vented; second enclosure therewith, a portion of said outer shell defining a projecting casin with said inner shell, inlets and outlets for said first enclosure and an eIectro-magnetically actuated exhaust valve associated with each said outlet, an. electric air heater in said casing and air-connections to supply compressed air to said heater and deliver said heated compressed air from said heater to said first enclosure throughsaid inlets, electric supply means and temperature controlmeans associated with said heater in said casing, adjustably springbiased pressure-responsive means responsive to the pressure in said first enclosure projecting into said casing including an actuating arm movable when the pressure in said first enclosure has exceeded a predetermined value as determined by adjustment of said spring biasing means, electric circuit connections for energizing said electro-- magnetically actuated valves and a rotary switch interposed in said circuit connections having a number of contact-making positions equal to that of said valves, the connections being such that only one of said electro-magnetic valve-actuating means is placed in circuit for each of said positions, said actuating arm being adapted each time it is moved'by said pressure in said first enclosure to shift said rotary switch to a successive contact-making position thereof, and means for successively positively restoring said valves to-closed position.

5. In an improved hair-drying apparatus in combination an inner'shell' adapted-to encase a human head in. spaced relationship with the hair and means to effect an air-tight seal between said inner shell and said'head to form air-tight first enclosure entirely surroundingsaid hair, an apertured outer shell surrounding said inner shell and spaced therefrom having a portion extending away from said inner shell to'define, a casing therewith, inlets and outlets for said'first enclosure through said inner shell, an exhaust valve L associated with each-outlet adapted to exhaust into said second enclosure, an electric air-heater in said casnig and air connections to supply compressed air to said heater and deliver: the heated compressed air from said heater through said inlets to said first enclosure, electric supply means and temperature control means, associatedwith said heater in said casing, adjustably springbiased pressure-responsive means, responsive to the pressure prevailing in said first enclosure and projecting into said casing, actuating means for each of said exhaust valves controlled from said pressure-responsive means, operating said valves in succession when said pressure in said first enclosure is in excess of a predetermined amount, and means for successively restoring said exhaust valves to closed position, a sump arranged under saidsecond enclosure adapted to collect liquid entrained by said air discharged from said-first and second enclosure, an outlet from said second enclosure to said sump, and an outlet from said sump to the atmosphere, and a drain-cock for said sump. i 6. In an improved hair-drying apparatus of th type described in combination means forming a first airtight enclosure around said hair, means said outlet projecting outwardly of said enclo sure, a solenoid winding secured insaid-Qcasing coaxially them-zvvi-th, a valve including a resilient domeshaped head portion seated on saidaperture and a shank portion ofncnemagnetic metal directed'away from said enclosure extending ax ially'of said solenoid, means to prevent rotation of said valve member,1a resilient-abutment flange surrounding said valve shank near the-base of said valve member, a soft iron cylinder element mounted at the upper free end of said shank in V inductive relationship with said'solenoid', and a hard steel element surmounting said cylinder a lever pi-Voted'in the top of said casing and projecting outwardly thereof, a latching pawl pivoted to said lever-,insaid casing adapted to en gage said-hard steehelement to latch said valve in closedcondition, spring'means urginglsaid lever and said pawl tovalve closing condition,

an electro-magnet securedto said valve casing externally thereof and 'an armature element at the outer end of said lever cooperatingw-ith said magnet to be attracted thereby togunlatch said valve member; circuit connections made succes sively effective by said valve'actuating means: to energize both said electro-magnet toun-latch said valveand saidsolenoid in such a way that said cylinder is raised to-open said valve, and a spring plate in each valve box; adapted. tolbe engaged by said elements at the top of said valve shank at the end of the upward stroke thereof operative to short-circuit both said solenoid and. said electro-magnet. Y

7. Inan improved. hair-drying apparatus of. the type described in combination means forming first air-tight enclosure around. said hair, means to. deliver a blast ofheated compressed air :into said enclosure, a plurality of spaced outlets for said enclosure, electro-imagnetically actuated ex haust valves in saidoutl'ets and means for actuating eachof said valves in succession asscenes the air pressure in said enclosure has exceeded a predetermined amount, and.- meansior positively closingeach of said valves, means for electrically heating said air to be delivered intosaid enclosure andv means including a step-down transformer for electrically supplying said elec-j tro-magnetically actuated valves and said airheating means. 1

FERNAN OSCAR CONILL.

REFERENCES ci'rnn' ,The following references are o'fjrecord' in the file. of this patent:

PATENTS UNITED STATES Number. Name Date 909,261 Vo1ney. Jan. 12, 1909 1,720,301 Suter July 9, 1929 1,747,342 Adams Feb 13, 1930 1,784,139 Gunter et al Dec. 9, 1930 2,037,695 7 Brownlee et a1. Apr. 21, 193 

